Maplin had always been the place to buy spare parts for my Aercus weather station. I've bought anemometers and a rain gauge but they sold other parts too - all for great prices (£2.49 for an anemometer).

They are currently still trading but all the spares (other than the anemometer) are 'web only' and need to be paid for in advance rather than in store... something I'm not happy to do as the chain could close permanently at any moment.

So, does anybody have any suggestions for where to buy spares from now on?

I've put in an order for spare items from Maplins on just that basis. I have an email from them promising delivery by Saturday 10th March. I chose to use 'PayPal', and they shouldn't claim until it is dispatched. If in the event I don't get the goods there is a resolution route to get the money back. I'll let you all know how I get on.

Spare Parts will never be in stock at that retailer. You need to read what Chas Olson say:

Spare parts are not carried in stock in our high street stores or online. Please order them in your store or by phone.

They do have a reputation for dealing with orders fairly quickly, but at a price.
Remember whilst Maplin models use the 433-434 MHz band, Chas Olson models use 868.3 MHz for transmissions, which is why Mark does not identify them as alternative supplier for replacement transmitters and consoles. As other postings on the forum record, there are different transmission protocols depending on when original station was bought, so that complicates matters further. Finally, the way temperature and humidity is measured also varies depending on when it was manufactured, see "Photos of the insides of Fine Offset sensors" topic for more information.

Toxic17 wrote:Maplins was the only real place that kept a supply of Fine offset parts

Maplin too used to supply these parts only by special order a decade ago, but (as recorded in http://sandaysoft.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9025) demand became high enough for them to justify changing their policy and keeping their whole Fine Offset spares range in stock. It is a reflection of how many Fine Offset stations have been kept going by replacing some sensors! I bet their high stocking levels and guarantees about delivering stuff not in stock have contributed to their financial problems.

Last edited by sfws on Thu 12 Apr 2018 9:53 am, edited 1 time in total.

I wonder how many UK based enthusiasts first cut their teeth on one of these Maplin Fine Offset clones? I bet a high proportion did and certainly I am amongst that number. I still have a fully working machine and a full set of spare parts sitting in graceful retirement in my garage - will have to make sure that it gets an extra layer of protective bubble-wrap!

Steepleian wrote:I wonder how many UK based enthusiasts first cut their teeth on one of these Maplin Fine Offset clones? I bet a high proportion did and certainly I am amongst that number. I still have a fully working machine and a full set of spare parts sitting in graceful retirement in my garage - will have to make sure that it gets an extra layer of protective bubble-wrap!

Ian

Perhaps a poll is needed:) I too started of with a WH1080 from Maplins. replaced a few parts too. I ended up donating the station as parts to another local weather enthusiast who was running something similar.

Steepleian wrote:I wonder how many UK based enthusiasts first cut their teeth on one of these Maplin Fine Offset clones? I bet a high proportion did and certainly I am amongst that number. I still have a fully working machine and a full set of spare parts sitting in graceful retirement in my garage - will have to make sure that it gets an extra layer of protective bubble-wrap!

Ian

Perhaps a poll is needed:) I too started of with a WH1080 from Maplins. replaced a few parts too. I ended up donating the station as parts to another local weather enthusiast who was running something similar.

I have a FO somewhere in my shed, functioning when I took it down, though the pressure reading on the console was whacky and required quite an offset in Cumulus. It had only had the transmitter replaced once!

EDIT: Oh and I changed the anemometer bearing.

Last edited by mcrossley on Fri 09 Mar 2018 5:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

mcrossley wrote:I have a FO somewhere in my shed, functioning when I took it down, though the pressure reading on the console was whacky and required quite an offset in Cumulus. It had only had the transmitter replaced once!

I did receive my order from Maplins so receivership is not affecting mail-order purchases at the moment. In fact Maplins are reducing the prices of everything by 10%. Unfortunately the wind speed gauge is the only spare available at the moment. The entire station is available with a 10% reduction, but still at a higher price than it was at Christmas.

Mine still going strong after 10 years! Love the "Trigger's broom" comment. A few spare components from time to time all at ridiculously low prices. I doubt it's cost me more than £15 per year and with a special screen and the ability to calibrate in Cumulus I reckon it beats Davies machines hands down!

I don't know whether anyone has highlighted this elsewhere, but those Maplin stores who still have stock of the N96GY are now selling them off at £48, and you can grab a spare anemometer for £1.00. It appears you can't order online, but you can check stock in your local stores here:https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/black-usb-wi ... ntre-n96gy